RADIKAL FASHION ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE LLC. RADIKAL MAGAZINE 2013 JANUARY NEW YEAR ISSUE | Página 17

his month, I bring you an artist who really needs no introduction. Whether you know him from his platinum record sales, his budding acting career, his numerous televised programs and appearances, or his live musical performances, you can’t help but love Xzibit! He is a dear friend of my family and we go back years, so anytime he stops in Phoenix, he and I get together to catch up. This time was no different. He is in the process of launching a new tequila, so it was only right to conduct this interview at one of the most upscale bars in the Valley. One call to Theresa at the Mint, and I was headed to Scottsdale with Mr. X to the Z! We spent the early part of our Sunday morning eating, laughing, and discussing his ‘swimming pool full of liquor.’ Let’s dive in... Ramses Ja: So, tell us about the tequila! Xzibit: Well, I have always been an avid spiritsman [laughter] so, it’s only natural that as I progress through my career, the business opportunities that present themselves to me I take full advantage of! I don’t really endorse anything...I’ve never done a clothing line, I’ve never done anything similar to that, so, you know I only stick to the things that I know about! And I know as bad as that sounds, I do a lot of drinking [laughter] but in a way that I’ve become a connoisseur. I used to be a cognac man...I went to the vodka...but tequila is my thing! So, I’m making the transition to Bonita Tequila...which is my first ultrapremium artisan tequila! It is organic... distilled five times...and I fell in love with it! I mean, It’s definitely

smooth...smoother than any other tequila that you probably ever will drink, and we stand behind it! We got a great family growing our agave in Jalisco, Mexico and I’m telling you we did our homework from the ground up! Everything has been meticulously put together from the bottle to the tequila to the way we’re gonna roll it out! The soft launch is here [Phoenix] and we’re gonna do a hard launch in February! Shout out to Southern Wines and Spirits in Las Vegas...the first ones to give us distribution! It’s gonna be a crazy time! R: So, explain the affiliation between Bonita Tequila and Phoenix, Arizona. X: Well, my partner Chris Brown... not THAT Chris Brown...but Chris Brown [laughter]. He resides here! He has a passion for tequila that matches mine, and we went into business together and formed Bonita...and the home base is here in Arizona! R: Allright, now we’re at The Mint... The Mint is a pretty important club here in Scottsdale! A lot of people come party here, and a lot of people who can’t come, wish they could party

here. Any chance that we’re gonna see some Bonita here? X: Yes! What we’re gonna do is we’re gonna go and cover our bases...make sure that we make all our relationships and connections that we have to do with distribution...and then it comes to fine-tuning. I mean, I do stand behind this, so I will be coming to the Mint and having bottle service for the people that come in! I will be showing up at different events and not only supporting the brand but showing that this is something I believe in! This is something that I’m invested in. And it works, you know? I’m telling you! I drink a lot of Tequila! As bad as that sounds! So, I know what I’m talking about! R: Okay...while we got you, the main thing people know you for is the music...so let’s talk about the music for a sec! So you got a new album out! Let’s talk about that! X: Okay, my album is called Napalm. I dropped it in October. Shouts out to everybody who went out and got it first! I dropped it independently... without the help of Sony,

without the help of Loud or Interscope records. This is MY project! This is the way I wanted it to come out! This is the way I saw it! So, the independent route is just the same as anything else! You gotta roll up your sleeves...you gotta do your work. I just came back from touring in Canada. Europe is up next... Austrailia is up next! R: I saw the movie you did about the raid on Bin Laden! Napalm is the album! You got the Bonita Tequila...What’s next for Xzibit? X: Right now, I will say that after I get done touring the Napalm record, I do have an idea to name my next record the Vanguard Album. The Vanguard record is going to be 12 to 13 songs...that’s it! I am working towards the X album...the X album will be my last record. R: Well thank you so much for your time, brother! I’ve known you for a long time and I’m proud of you! X: Ramses! Man, stop it! Man, stop it! We’re family! You know that! To see the full interview online, visit www.radikalmagazine.com

Radikal Fashion and Entertainment Magazine

www.radikalmagazine.com

JANUARY 2013

17